Sunday, June 24, 2012

I live in both real and virtual worlds.My job involves leading a culturally diverse
team spread around the globe.Multiple
time zones, languages and environments make the use of technology a must to be efficient
and timely.

We all live the real world where we eat, sleep, exercise, and
interact socially.These can often seem distinctly
different from our work world of email, text, web meetings and collaboration
centers.I was preparing to run in the
Fairfield Half Marathon this morning and ran into a special group of entrepreneurs.There product is a cause – Log Out and Live™.It is hard to argue our kids need to get off
their computers and go outside and play!The message of Log Out and Live is equally directed at adults.It reminds us of the importance of social
interaction with actual people.Yes –
they are using technology to spread their message. As a leader, it caused me to
step back and consider the team interaction activities I create daily.Should some of my emails have been phone
calls?Should some of my phone calls
have been personal visits? Should some of my office meetings have been walks on
the campus green?

Do you make
decisions to avoid technology when appropriate?How do you balance the speed and time zone advantages of technology with
the value of personal social interaction?

Saturday, June 16, 2012

I was tired, hungry and not in the mood to explore and learn any
more.We had spent the day discovering
new and hidden locations in the Hell’s Kitchen and Chelsea areas of New York
City.I had walked past this location
many times and never visited.I did not
miss it before and would not feel disappointed missing it this time.

The funny thing about knowledge and learning is that it does not happen
when you want it.We climbed the first
stairs of the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, often referred to as the main
branch of the New York Public Library system.It is a Beaux-Arts landmark structure on Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street.The Astor and Mcgraw rotundas were very
interesting, but the Rose Reading room on the third floor was absolutely
amazing (See photo).Every visitor to NYC should
find the time to see this structure inside and out.As leaders, we need to be willing to force
ourselves to learn even when we are not in the mood.We must be the role models and demonstrate
the value of an open mind.

How often do you turn off your learning sensors because
you are not in the mood?How do you
re-energize to allow yourself to open up at these critical times?

Leadership Contributors

Leadership = "Connecting people to their future"

"Leadership is a Verb ™" is a community of like minded leaders sharing lessons on leadership, career development, the virtual workplace and diversity. Let others benefit from your learnings by commenting here and sharing this community site.